Robert L. Woods | Impactful Leaders in Law of 2024 | Exeleon Magazine

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Robert L. Woods

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CONTENTS

ROBERT L. WOODS

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CONTENTS

26

DEANNA JOHNSON

CONTENTS

COLIN S. LEVY

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WWith over two decades of providing optimal results to countless families, Robert L. Woods has carved a niche for himself in the legal landscape.

His journey is marked by a unique blend of legal prowess, entrepreneurial spirit, and a profound understanding of human emotions.

Over the years, Robert Woods has not just deined himself as a distinguished attorney but as an impactful leader steering the course for others in the legal space. Fittingly, he features on the Cover of Exeleon Magazine's Most Impactful Leaders to Follow in Law in 2024.

IMPACTFUL ATTORNEY

According to Robert, being an impactful attorney hinges on two critical factors.

First, staying abreast of evolving laws, especially in areas like Personal Injury where regulations are in constant lux.

Second, and perhaps more crucial, is the ability to empathize with clients. Understanding the emotions of those undergoing legal challenges is paramount in devising effective and considerate legal strategies.

He shares, “An attorney must understand the emotions that his clients are experiencing and factor that into the claim strategy.” This philosophy is not only embedded in his legal practice but also deines his leadership style.

Early Years

Talking about his childhood years, Robert recalls that his father used to own an auto shop when he was young. He shares, “At the age of 5, my day would take me with him to work and let me do little things around the ofice.”

By the time Robert was 10, his dad would leave him in-charge to hunting on the weekends. Little did he know that these formative experiences would shape his entrepreneurial mindset and leadership qualities.

He remembers, “I really didn't think much about it until I was in high school and was taking a class called, “income tax”. The teacher was amazed that I knew how to complete a tax return and although I did not know the calculations for depreciation, I knew the concept.”

Another instance when Robert realized he has entered the entrepreneurial space was when he was reading a magazine called “fund raising for organizations.”

“I was amazed that I could order these irst aid kits and pay for them later out of the proceeds.”

Robert strategically stocked his father's auto shop with these kits, and to his delight, they sold like hot cakes. However, the innocence of these beginnings took a turn when success led to a valuable lesson. Making substantial proits, Robert found himself at the receiving end of a "hostile takeover" by his father. This early encounter with the realities of business dynamics became a pivotal lesson, shaping his understanding of strategy, competition, and the nuanced art of negotiation—a foundation that would later ind resonance in his legal career.

LEGAL INSIGHT

Robert Wood's extensive tenure of over 35 years in law enforcement and investigation provided him with a unique perspective on legal concepts and the psychology of individuals.

In law enforcement, where conveying restrictions is a daily task, Robert learned the importance of not just what is communicated but how it is conveyed. This insight into human emotions and the delicate balance of enforcing rules has proven invaluable in his legal career, especially when guiding clients through challenging times.

He mentions, “I learned the adage is true, “it's not what you say, it's how you say it.”

DELIVERING RESULTS

For Robert, Wood Law Firm stands to deliver the best results to its clients.

Under his leadership, the irm

stands out for its commitment to delivering these results.

Recognizing the emotional toll legal battles take on clients, the irm not only provides legal expertise but also offers unwavering support through the tough process. The focus on ensuring clients receive maximum settlements further solidiies the irm's reputation in the legal arena.

A DAY IN MY LIFE

Robert's daily routine relects his commitment to his clients as well as his profession. He shares:

A typical day for me consists of waking up around 4:30 am and having coffee with my wife. We hit the gym and by 7:30am, I am headed to the ofice. My ofice opens at 7:00 am and when I get there, my assistant will have my mail and outgoing documents on my desk to sign.

My day consists of returning calls to clients who requested to speak with

me and negotiating settlements for my clients. Some days consist of zoom meetings and some days are spent at the Court House. My day usually ends with me coming home and relaxing on my patio with my wife, before reading about 30 minutes to an hour before bed.

VISION FOR THE WOODS LAW FIRM:

Looking ahead, Robert envisions continued growth and diversiication for The Woods Law Firm, P.C. The expansion into mass tort cases, such as NEC Formula, AFFF, and Tylenol cases, showcases a forward-thinking approach.

The irm's trajectory is set towards handling more mass tort cases, demonstrating their adaptability to emerging legal challenges and commitment to securing justice for their clients.

“We intend to expand our practice into more mass tort type cases,” he concludes saying.

Exeleon Shorts

One Book Entrepreneurs must read – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People- Stephen Covey

One Productivity Tool / App that you use – Microsoft Ofice

One Quote that Motivates you the most – “Every morning in Africa a lion wakes up and knows that if he does not catch the slowest zebra he will starve, and every morning in Africa, a Zebra wakes up and knows if he does not out run the fastest lion he will be killed, so it

doesn't matter if you are a Lion or a Zebra, when the sun comes up, you best be running!

One Legal Advice that you always Follow – Do not wait: the time will never be 'just right'. Start where you stand and work whatever tools you may have at your command and better tools will be found as you go along. ― Napoleon Hill

One Movie / Show you would recommend – 12 Angry Men by Henry

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BHeart Law

Interview with Carolyn Bellof

y navigating the intricate and often emotionally charged space of family law, Carolyn Beloff brings a unique blend of compassion, expertise, and leadership to her role as the Managing Partner at Stallard & Bellof, PLLC

In this exclusive interview with Exeleon Magazine, the impactful leader shares insights into her leadership philosophy, the genesis of her partnership with a fellow hockey mom turned business partner, and the guiding principles that have steered their irm through a decade of service and growth.

What according to you makes one impactful? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

A person makes an impact on others by being outgoing, sharing oneself with others by being open and honest and bringing others into one's network. In being a leader at my irm or in the organizations I belong to, I try to make others feel welcomed and a part of the organization and the irm. Employees need to feel like they are more than just a worker to me and in fact, the

people that work for me are so much more than just people that can get the job done. People make our irm what it is- they matter both at work and outside of work. I want to make sure that they are well supported in their lives. The relationships that we have with each other allow us to serve our clients better because if everyone feels like they matter and that they belong, they can do their job to the best of their ability.

Can you share the story of how Stallard & Bellof, PLLC was established? What inspired you to start your own family law practice in Charlotte, NC?

My law partner and I knew each other because our sons had played hockey with each other for years. I had been a stay-athome mom and my law partner had been practicing family law for a few years. She wanted to start her own irm and I wanted to go back to work. It seemed to be a perfect it because we knew each other and liked each other but we were not close friends. We both wanted to make a difference and to help people going through dificult times.

You've been in business with your partner for ten years. How did you navigate any initial disagreements or challenges in the partnership, and what strategies have contributed to the longevity of your partnership?

My law partner had been envisioning starting a irm for a number of years, so she had an idea of what needed to be done to get started. I was willing to learn North Carolina family law and I was willing to do the litigation work. The biggest struggles at the beginning were simply iguring out how to get clients in the door.

As we began working with each other, we began to learn about each other's personalities. We quickly realized that we have opposite personalities and sometimes that is great because things that she excels at I do not and vice versa. That, however, can be tremendously frustrating if you do not understand why the other person does the things they do. We each had to learn why the other person did things that drove the other person crazy. Once we each realized how the other person dealt with struggles and the coping strategy of the other, it became easier. Being in a partnership is like being in a marriage. There is a tremendous amount of give and take and we each need to respect the other person. I think the biggest thing that has kept us together is trust.

Family law often involves unique and emotionally charged cases. Can you recount one or two particularly memorable or challenging cases that stand out

in your career?

One of the irst litigated cases involved a client whose ex-wife wanted to move many states away with their children. Our client up to that point had his children for a week at a time every other week. The ex-wife had married a man with a lot of money, and they were paying a very seasoned attorney to represent them. We spent an incredible amount of time preparing for that trial and we won. We were able to keep the ex-wife from taking the children to another state. It was a great outcome for our client.

How do you navigate the emotional aspects of family law cases, considering the unpredictability and sensitivity of the issues involved?

We understand that every one of our clients comes to us at their very worst time. They often need a lot of understanding and grace. Because emotions are high, they often need

to be told things several times before they can process the information we are giving them. We also realize that we cannot solve all of our client's problems. We can give them advice and help them as best as possible giving the legal process that is in place, but we cannot always get the outcome that the client wants.

Finally, what is your vision going forward for your irm? What are you most excited about?

We are very excited to continue to grow. We are beginning to represent people in South Carolina as well as North Carolina. We look forward to hiring another attorney this year to continue to assist people going through the divorce process. We are also excited to teach newer attorneys how to practice family law and to litigate.

Making a Difference

Interview with Deanna Johnson

Deanna Johnson's journey from attorney and Chief Compliance Ocer to CEO of Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC, embodies her dedication to making a meaningful dierence in the legal and title industry.

What according to you makes one impactful? How do you integrate the same thought into your legal practice?

To me, being impactful means making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of others or the community. Connecting with others both professionally and personally helps me be impactful by fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and building relationships. Through meaningful interactions, I can understand the needs and perspectives of individuals, tailoring my responses and assistance accordingly. In legal practice, this translates to advocating for justice, upholding the rule of law, and effectively representing clients' interests.

To integrate this thought into my legal practice and my professional career, I prioritize understanding my clients' and employees' needs and concerns thoroughly, providing them with knowledgeable and strategic advice. Additionally, I strive to contribute positively to the legal profession and title community by participating in pro bono work and servicing a variety of boards and committees within the industry.

Can you share the story of your journey with Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC, from your initial role as an attorney and Chief Compliance Oficer to becoming the CEO in 2022?

Certainly! My journey with Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC began when I joined the company as an attorney and later as Chief Compliance Oficer. In this role, I was

responsible for ensuring that the company complied with all relevant laws and regulations governing the title and escrow industry as well as complying with ALTA Best Practices. I worked closely with the executive team and oversaw routine audits.

As I immersed myself in the operations of the company, I became increasingly passionate about its mission and the opportunities for growth and innovation within the industry. I consistently demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and a strong commitment to excellence in customer service.

Over time, my contributions were recognized by the executive team, and I was given the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles within the company. Through hard work, dedication, and a focus on driving results, I was able to demonstrate my capabilities as a leader and contribute to the company's success.

In 2022, I was honored to be appointed as the CEO of Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC. In this role, I am committed to building on the strong foundation established by my predecessors and leading the company to new heights of success. I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and I am conident that with the support of our talented team, we will continue to thrive and achieve our goals.

Ultimately, I believe that embracing diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do ethically, but it also makes good business sense. By harnessing the power of diverse perspectives and talents, we can drive innovation, foster creativity, and achieve sustainable growth and success for our organization and the communities we serve.

As a female CEO in the title industry, your journey serves as a powerful narrative. How do you perceive the role of diversity and inclusion in the corporate landscape, and what impact do you hope to make as a female leader?

As a female CEO in the title industry, I recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the corporate landscape. Diversity brings different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, which can lead to more innovative solutions, better decision-making, and ultimately, improved business performance. Inclusion ensures that all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work, regardless of their background or identity.

I perceive my role as a female leader as an opportunity to champion diversity and inclusion within my organization and the broader industry. I strive to create a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported, where meritocracy thrives, and where barriers to advancement are removed. I am committed to fostering an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive and reach their full potential.

Additionally, I hope to serve as a role model and mentor for other women aspiring to leadership positions in the title industry and beyond. By sharing my own experiences, offering support

and guidance, and advocating for gender equality and diversity in leadership, I aim to inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders.

In your role as CEO, how do you deine success for Foundation Title & Escrow Services, and what goals or milestones are you working towards for the company's continued growth?

As CEO of Foundation Title & Escrow Services, I deine success as achieving excellence in customer service, maintaining a strong reputation in the industry for reliability and integrity, and consistently exceeding inancial targets. Some of the goals and milestones I am working towards for the company's continued growth include expanding our market presence into new regions, increasing our market share within existing markets, enhancing technological capabilities to streamline processes and improve eficiency, and investing in professional development to ensure our team remains at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.

Finally, what is your vision going forward for Foundation Title & Escrow Services? What are you most excited about?

My vision for Foundation Title & Escrow Services going forward is to continue and grow our position as a trusted leader in the title and escrow industry while continuing to innovate and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our clients and the market. I am committed to fostering a culture of excellence,

I am most excited about the opportunities for growth and innovation that lie ahead. I see tremendous potential for leveraging technology to streamline processes, enhance eciency, and improve the customer experience.

integrity, and innovation within our organization, where our team members are empowered to excel, our clients receive exceptional service, and our communities beneit from our contributions.

I am also excited about the prospect of expanding our market presence into new regions and exploring new service offerings to better serve our clients' needs.

Furthermore, I am enthusiastic about the chance to continue investing in our team's professional development and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the

opportunity to thrive and succeed. By staying true to our core values and embracing change and innovation, I am conident that Foundation Title & Escrow Services will continue to thrive and make a positive impact in the industry and the communities we serve.

Humans have been making laws for thousands of years. However, the legal language can allocate different meanings to almost every word, phrase, and sentence. This gives rise to many challenges, including outdated confusing regulations, equal access to justice, and consumer frustration and anguish.

Consequently, many entrepreneurs are making an attempt to improve legal processes and improve access. Through their experience and passion, they are blending legal, technological, and business process expertise to re-engineer legal delivery and provide easy, affordable access to the consumers.

Colleen Joyce is a forward-thinking leader who spearheads Lawyer.com, one of the most popular and robust platforms catering to the legal needs of U.S. and Canadian consumers. It is supported by her team of knowledgeable professionals who each week connect thousands of consumers with local lawyers. She says, “Never fear chasing your ideas and be willing to adapt when needed!”

Her passion to drive this initiative for the last decade speaks volumes about her commitment. “Passion gets me out of bed, keeps me growing non-stop, pumps up my creative juices, and spreads like

wildire to team members,” she adds. Colleen truly believes that “all leaders should have passion for what they do.”

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUG

In the shadow of uncertainty, many people sit on the fence and let others make the big decisions. It takes a powerful dose of determination and creativity to overcome skepticism and make things happen.

For Colleen, the summer going into 6th Grade was where she stumbled upon the entrepreneurial bug. Her lemonade stand idea became a big time hit, which eventually rolled into many CountryTime Lemonade sales and extensive distribution of marketing posters.

This snowballed into a variety of lemonade lavors, and then candies were added to the sales mix. Little did she know that she was setting the stage for her future career. “The hustle was real,” she recalls “we had to take our earnings from the previous day, walk to the store, and reinvest in ourselves to grow the business.”

MULTI-FACETED LEADERSHIP

One striking feature that helps in a rapidly growing and changing environment is being adaptable. It is also integral because it shows

valuable skills like being resourceful, determined, and analytical.

Drawing on the same canvas, Colleen believes that adaptability is an important trait for being a transformational leader. “One should always be willing to change course at any given moment,” she says. “You have to be ahead of the trends, have a pulse of your team's needs and trust in yourself to make decisions.”

A day in the life of an entrepreneur means wearing many hats, which include sales calls, marketing meetings, press releases, and dozens of other things that are necessary to advance the business. Similarly, Colleen's day-to-day activities also brim with excitement and possibilities. As the President, she is very focused on using the right kind of communication strategy and relationship with both employees and clients. She also takes a keen interest in helping each of her teams - accounts, sales, product, consumer, and on top of that, managing all of the services that are offered to the lawyers.

Colleen believes that as a leader, it is her responsibility to guide her teams in the direction of success while collecting as much feedback as she can. Meetings with her team fuel daily lashes of inspiration. She credits a big part of her success to her talented team and their passion

for inding better ways to grow the business. “Our team is very hands-on and have helped us develop an amazing business platform over the last decade,” she remarks.

TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY

Colleen's entrepreneurial journey at Lawyer.com began with something totally different. Previously she honed her celebrity networking skills as Director of Marketing & Publicity at PopStar.com, a subsidiary of World Media Group. “Interviewing celebrities, attending red carpet events, and writing breaking news, oddly, all helped me prepare for my career at Lawyer.com,” she recollects.

Lawyer.com was founded to help simplify consumers' frustration with the legal process. Resolving legal matters can be overwhelmingly challenging and the situations are generally emotionally charged. The Lawyer.com platform operates across all time zones and geographies, helping match customers with motivated experienced local experts. Lawyers fund the free consumer matching services via a comprehensive range of premium marketing services backed by a team of marketing advisors. Together they put Lawyer.com far ahead of many competitors in the legal marketing industry.

Colleen faced multiple setbacks and gathered signiicant lessons until she discovered her true calling and learned that working with a trusted co-founder makes things easier, especially during tough times. She states that entrepreneurship is not all about making big, strategic moves. There are smaller tasks that drive signiicant results. This is why

she thrives on consistent results and quality feedback that have helped her enhance Lawyer.com's business and lay a strong foundation for future improvements.

OPPORTUNITIES IN FAILURES

It is said, “The bridge of success is built on the pillars of failures.” Failures provide opportunities to become smarter and charge towards success with more commitment and clarity.

Colleen has had her challenges balancing the highs and lows of a rapidly growing business. “One minute you are breaking records, the next minute…something is badly broken,'' she says. But, with her never-give-up attitude, hustling energy and the willingness to adapt, “all the roadblocks seemed more like speed bumps”.

Another common trait of entrepreneurs is a positive attitude when all looks dark. Colleen is a beacon of optimism as she treats dificulties as a temporary storm, while taking permanent lessons from them.

She also believes that the mistakes she's made paved the way for better ideas for the future. “While I'm sure there are many things I could have done differently, I'm happy that I was able to learn lessons and grow,” she says. Colleen believes her passion to constantly experiment and learn has enabled her to make better decisions about growing the business.

FAILING THE RIGHT WAY

Becoming a seasoned entrepreneur doesn't happen overnight. Being successful often means learning by making mistakes or sometimes

avoiding mistakes by seeking advice from those entrepreneurs who have eventually tasted success. The latter choice offers beginning entrepreneurs the opportunity to beneit from the hard-won knowledge of advisors from many business and life experiences.

Colleen's advice to aspiring young leaders and entrepreneurs is a simple three-lettered word - try . “There is one thing that will set you apart from others, and that is your willingness to try,” she advises. “The reason success tastes so sweet is because success doesn't happen very often. The dream goal can only be achieved when you keep trying and work towards it.”

THE POWER-PACKED FUTURE

Colleen believes that her initiatives to help team members be more independent and empowered has prepared them and the company for wonderful opportunities ahead. Additionally, the accelerating launch of new products and services is going to build an even more exciting business while providing consumers and lawyers with unrivaled customer experiences.

Her talented and incredible team is ready to take the platform higher on the road to greater success. Colleen is very proud of her team's constant innovation and pursuit of quality, and she believes her passion to keep pushing the boundaries and creating new goals for the products - existing and upcoming - is going to make the Lawyer.com business truly stand out in the legal marketing industry.

Key Statistics for Lawyers in 2024

As the legal profession

continues to evolve, lawyers are facing an increasingly complex landscape. With the events of the past year in mind, preparing for success in 2024 requires a keen understanding of the current state of the industry.

Key statistics about lawyers can provide valuable insights for those contemplating law school, starting their careers, or guiding their businesses as seasoned professionals.

A Glimpse into the Legal Profession

According to the American Bar Association's Proile of the Legal Profession, there are approximately 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, equating to four lawyers for every 1,000 residents.

New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut boast the highest number of lawyers per capita, indicating a competitive environment in these states. To stand out, law irms must focus on building a strong brand and addressing the access to justice gap in their areas.

Diversity in the Legal Field

While there has been progress towards equality, with 39% of

lawyers being female and 79% white, there is still work to be done to achieve true diversity. Law irms can beneit from embracing diversity, which can lead to increased innovation and a broader client base.

Notably, women now outnumber men in law schools, representing 55.7% of the 116,000 law students in the US. This trend highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment for women in the legal profession.

Employment and Financial Outlook

The job outlook for lawyers is positive, with an expected 8% growth rate between 2022 and 2032. The median annual wage for lawyers as of May 2022 was $135,740, with hourly rates varying by region and practice area.

Intellectual property law boasts the highest average hourly billing rate at $377, while juvenile law has the lowest at $125.

Challenges and Opportunities

One of the major challenges facing law irms is low utilization rates, with the average lawyer billing just 2.5 hours of an 8-hour day. Additionally, lawyers do not collect on 11% of the hours they bill to

clients. To address these issues, irms can explore automation and offer payment plans, which have been shown to increase monthly revenue.

Embracing Technology

The adoption of technology is crucial for the future of legal practice. Currently, 69% of legal practices are not using AI, but 51% of legal professionals express a desire to use it more in the future.

Online payment options and cloudbased software solutions are becoming increasingly important for client satisfaction and eficient irm management.

Looking Ahead

As the legal industry continues to navigate changes, staying informed about key statistics and trends is essential for success.

For the latest insights, lawyers and legal professionals are encouraged to download the latest Legal Trends Report.

For more detailed statistics and insights, visit Clio's Blog.

Bridging Law & Technology with Colin S. Levy

With a career dedicated to demystifying the complexities of legal technology for professionals and laypeople alike, Colin S. Levy has carved out a niche that bridges the gap between traditional legal practice and cutting-edge technological advancements.

Colin's latest book, "The Legal Tech Ecosystem: Innovation, Advancement & the Future of Law Practice," offers a comprehensive look into the future of legal services, underscored by his belief in the power of authenticity and human connection.

In this exclusive interview Colin shares his journey of integrating authenticity into leadership, the inspiration behind his book, and the key themes that he believes will shape the future of legal practice.

What according to you makes one impactful? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

I view impact through the lens of authenticity. Humans want to be heard, they want to be listened to, they want to be seen. This all boils down to one powerful thing – a recognition of our inherent humanity. Accordingly, I see myself and my content as both successful and as impactful if I see that what I am doing resonates through the comments and reception that I or the content I create receives. I have long sought to be simply who I am –imperfections and all. I do not shy

away from admitting weakness, from sharing things that make me feel uncomfortable or that give me pause. I have noticed that these imperfections are not mine alone to bear but are shared by others. This brings people together – the knowledge of not being alone and sharing things.

Can you provide an overview of your new book, "The Legal Tech Ecosystem: Innovation, Advancement & the Future of Law Practice," and the key themes it explores regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies?

The intent of the book is to provide the reader with an accessible nontechnical introduction to the world of legal tech. It features numerous leading innovators and creators in the space to show the reader what has and is being done with technology to help lawyers, legal professionals, and those in needs of legal services. The book explores several key themes that underlie legal tech including A) technology alone is not enough – it needs to be aligned with the business and those who will be using it; B) the breadth and depth of the space; and C) The interdependence of people, process, and tech and how each can inluence and impact the others. Please check out the book here!

"The Legal Tech Ecosystem" emphasizes that technology alone is not suficient; legal departments must undergo a fundamental digital

transformation. Can you discuss the key aspects of this transformation, including rethinking structures, processes, and approaches?

The evolving landscape of technology is becoming a catalyst for fundamental changes in organizational structures, particularly highlighting the limitations and ineficiencies of rigid, traditional business hierarchies and silos. As technology continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly clear that businesses need to transition towards more lexible, adaptive models that prioritize cross-functional collaboration and leverage technological innovations. This transformation involves a comprehensive integration of technological tools into business processes, aiming to enhance eficiency through streamlining and automation. It's not just about the adoption of new tools; it also necessitates a cultural shift within organizations, where there is an open embrace of learning, experimentation, and adaptability over clinging to longstanding traditions and historical ways of working.

Furthermore, this shift underscores the importance of embracing Generative AI, a technology that is rapidly reshaping the business landscape. Generative AI is altering how operations are conducted, inluencing decision-making processes, and redeining the skill sets required for the workforce. By

integrating Generative AI into their operations, businesses can unlock new levels of creativity, innovation, and eficiency, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. This means being proactive in understanding the capabilities and applications of Generative AI, and how it can be leveraged to create value, solve complex problems, and meet emerging business needs. Ultimately, the call to action for businesses is clear: to thrive in the digital age, they must be willing to rethink their structures, embrace technological advancements, and foster a culture that is open to change and innovation.

As a leading voice in legal technology, what effective solutions do you see emerging to address the challenges faced by legal professionals in the current environment?

Technology should be making your job easier and making you more productive. Tools that can make those time-consuming tasks you need to do each day less timeconsuming are likely to have the greatest impact. For example, if you are tasked with managing outside counsel spend, there are tools to help you do that. Same with legal research or drafting documents. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Generative AI has and will continue to make each the tools that can help do them more powerful.

What proactive steps can legal professionals take to stay ahead of the curve in the era of Web 3.0?

For those who may not know what

Web 3.0 is, it is the next evolution of the internet based on decentralization, higher interactivity, and artiicial intelligence. As for being proactive when it comes to Web 3.0, the irst step is to learn about it, what it is, its current state, and uses cases for it. One of the key voices I'd suggest turning to learn is my friend Mitch Jackson.

Finally, what does the future look like for you, both professionally and personally? What are you most excited about?

The future for me is exciting. I see it being more ever more involved in

the legal tech community with the goal of informing and inspiring others. I potentially could publish another book or two as things evolve. Personally, I am excited to be learning more and expanding my perspective and worldview. I am, of course, most excited about the rise of Generative Artiicial Intelligence and the tremendous potential it holds for so much of society.

Brandon Dorsky

Navigating the Crossroads of Law and Cannabis

Brandon Dorsky's unique blend of creativity, legal expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit has positioned him as an established leader in intellectual property management within the rapidly evolving cannabis sector.

As he navigates the complexities of this industry, Dorsky's dedication to fostering innovation and protecting the rights of creatives is evident in his contributions and future aspirations.

In this exclusive interview of Brandon Dorsky, we explore his early inluences, pivotal career transitions, and his outlook on the future of intellectual property law in the cannabis industry.

What according to you makes one impactful? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

An impactful leader is capable of motivating others to unite around a common goal, task, or event. Moreover, an impactful leader facilitates others, thereby bringing their best effort and energy to that initiative.

With respect to my own leadership style, I

invest time in projects that are purpose driven and communicate effectively to utilize my team's commitment to and belief in the unifying purpose as fuel that ignites their ire.

Talk to us about your growing up years. What is your earliest memory as a leader / entrepreneur that you can remember?

I grew up in the Midwest, and some of my earliest memories from childhood involve being a student and creating and selling mixtapes to my classmates.

In the 90s, I used to make customized party mixtapes or mix CDs, illed with hip-hop and soul music, sold them around campus, and became known as a musically knowledgeable individual within my community. When I was a freshmen and sophomore in high school, I was class president and I leveraged some of that musical knowledge to drive my election campaigns.

I remember using Notorious B.I.G. lyrics from his song “One More Chance” as part of my re-election campaign my sophomore year and promising the student body that I

would replace water fountains with soda, that the vending machines would be illed with candy and that I would host a victory party at my opponent's house.

Although I failed to deliver on many of my lofty high-school campaign initiatives, I learned a lot about how to effectively communicate through my efforts as both a DJ and a member of student government.

What motivated you to transition from representing artists to focusing on intellectual property in the cannabis industry?

I became an attorney because I wanted to represent and work with artists and creatives. I consider myself a creative that did not believe I would feed a family with my creative pursuits, so I took on less risk and pursued a law degree instead.

Although I was drawn to represent music artists because I love music, I have an appetite and general admiration for representing parties that have a higher tolerance for risk than me, which realistically includes people within the cannabis industry. I also consider cannabis entrepreneurs a type of artists themselves, and so the transition did not really feel like a seismic change to me.

I was motivated to migrate away from representing talent and to focus on other businesses dealing with intellectual property, including the cannabis industry. After one of the irst artists I discovered, and whom I had helped achieve international success that most artists would dream of, was poached and the artist thereafter

I have been responsible for work that individually and collectively helped elevate the perception of the value of intellectual property rights within the cannabis industry. The cumulative impact of perceived value may have helped fuel greater valuations or capital raises, or even inuenced how nancial resources were allocated for intellectual property management.

attempted to not pay me the percentage we had agreed to.

After going through that legal battle and feeling underappreciated and exposed to a similar situation repeating itself with other talents I represented, I sought out different clients and industries where I thought my skills and expertise would be valued. Moreover, I could be in the position of generally having more experience than others so that I would be less likely to have clients poached. Seeking clients within the cannabis industry to provide legal services to them was not

Being recognized by various bar associations and industry publications, how do you think your contributions have impacted the perception of intellectual property management in the cannabis industry?

Some of the work I have done in the cannabis industry helped several brands grow from infancy to major market presence, and the foundation of the work was based in intellectual property strategy. The IP strategies I developed that those businesses deployed have since been adopted by others within the industry, including how

businesses register, position and police intellectual property rights, and how new IP is introduced into and managed within the supply chain.

Several of the industry's greatest success stories revolve around the development and cultivation of strong intellectual property rights. Presently, the most active litigator in the United States, is a business that makes ancillary products for the cannabis industry and enforces their intellectual property rights, and not only was I instrumental in developing their intellectual property strategy in the irst several years of their existence, but

the business has gone on to develop and accumulate a very valuable intellectual property portfolio of both trademarks and patents.

What excites you the most about the future of intellectual property law within the cannabis industry?

Whenever the shackles of Schedule I classiication are removed, and the opportunity to do reliable and repeatable studies involving cannabis has signiicantly less government red tape, there is going to be an explosion in research surrounding cannabis, and the subsequent intellectual property

that is developed from that research could change the future of medicine and the world.

Finally, what is your vision going forward on a personal front? What are you most excited about?

My vision going forward is to continue to be the best Brandon I can be and strive to make an impact each day, while not forgetting that tomorrow is not a given. I will continue to try and be of service of others and continue to pave and clear the road for the creative community, both inside and outside of cannabis, for years to come.

I am excited about not only emerging markets for cannabis, and the possibilities for FRUIT SLABS and other brands I work with to grow into new markets, including but not limited to New York, but also the development of consumption lounges and immersive cannabis experiences. I am also really excited about some things on the horizon for my other business ventures, including some creative collaborations between Yeastie Boys and others, the release of additional issues of Below Sycamore, a graphic novel series I have worked on extensively, and the release of the irst episode of a docuseries that I shot with High Thread Count, LLC in Oaxaca in late 2023.